It's all in a Days Work

Well Russ is now on a regular schedule for Occupational (for his wrist) and Physical (for his pelvis) therapy. Every Tuesday and Thursday he takes a transport van to Sharp Rehab and spends a couple of hours working to rebuild his muscles. He's getting good reports from his therapists, he's a model student. So as of today he can touch his thumb to the bottom of his little finger, and he can almost lay his arm flat on the table (the back of his arm that is). As for the bottom half of his rehab (the bottom half of his body) he's sitting at a 75 degree angle, and using his walker more, he can put 50 to 60 pounds of pressure on his right leg and is working on his posture when standing.
It's still a slow go, sometimes feelings can get a little touchy (cranky), for both of us. They say he won't be able to get up stairs for a couple more months so we're both lonely at night. It's also hard not being able to get up and go whenever we feel like it. I so miss my husband's company, no errands together, dinners out, drives around town. We go to church every weekend and we are going to try a movie this weekend. Russ is able to sit comfortably in his chair for longer periods of time now so hopefully we'll be getting out a little more.
Next week will be very busy with doctors visits and finally the removal of the hated catheter, we're praying that everything is healed and he'll come home catheter free. Each week gets us a little closer to normal life again. Maybe that's the problem I keep waiting for normal instead of just living in the moment and being thankful for where we are in this season of our life. Thank you Lord for our lives today and tomorrow whatever they bring.

Sis visits

Russ's sister came to visit for a few days to lift his spirits, as you can see it worked. It was fun to spend time with Phil and Manon and to see Russ hasn't lost his knack for pickin on his Sis.

Today was a visit to yet another doctor the one in charge of his blood clot an anything one of his specialist doesn't cover. The good news is the blood thinners seem to be working and Russ is released to start his physical therapy again. It's a step forward folks praise the lord, 2 months down 10 more to go. Oh I hope 2010 goes as quickly as 2009 did.

Back in the Groove

Russ only had to have blood thinner shots for 2 days thank the Lord. It's painful to have shots in your tummy when you have no fat there. He would have thrown a fit like the kids use to if he thought it would stop the nurse, so for now it's only oral meds. On Thursday he got to go back to therapy just on his wrist for now, but I could tell he felt better doing something. It's getting harder to be up beat all the time, Russ does his best though. I try too he's just better at it.

Not what we expected

Some of you may know that Tuesday Russ was supposed to be having a procedure to remove his catheter, instead we ended up in ER Monday night. Blood clot in the leg, overnight stay at Sharp Memorial, shots in the tummy, blood thinners for a few months and everything should be fine.

Everyday hands us another bump in the road to recovery. His home health nurse says this is common for his type of injuries. Boy, we are learning that we are not very good at bumpy roads. They make you tired and cranky.
Russ's sister arrives tomorrow I'm hoping she can cheer him up and get his mind off the pain that seems to be getting worse instead of better.

He starts back to re-hab in the morning for hand and wrist therapy ya having two hands will definitely improve his mood. Keep the prayers coming, I know my knees are getting calluses, Lord give us strength and humor in these trying times.

Visit to Dr. Smith

Yesterday was eventful, we took the transport van to the doctors 2:30 appointment which means: leave house at 1:20, arrive 2:00, go into back room 4:15, leave Dr. office 5:15, home 6:20. Yes, the Doc was running behind, if Russ could have walked out we would have. The news from the doctor was good though. They finally removed the stitches from his left thigh and as you can see from the xray he is healing well. He can now start to reduce his recline and start to sit more upright a little at a time. He can also start to put a tiny bit of weight on his right leg. So he can go back to therapy now, thank the Lord. If he doesn't get out of the house and talk to some other people soon he may go completely crazy (and I may go before him) I'm sure this is going to test our relationship like nothing else has. He's starting to get cranky and everyone knows I give as good as I get, please pray I learn to let it bounce off me.

Three Amigos Christmas

Well, 2010 is upon us and the Three Amigos had another wonderful gathering. These three men have been friends for 40 years, and family forever. Lucky for the women and children in their lives we love them and each other very much. This year we are all especially grateful for our gathering, we were able to have it in our home (not a hospital) and Anthony the good looking young man opposite Steven is heading off to Marine boot camp. We pray he will have a good experience, and be protected by our Lord. This was also one of the mildest parties these three have ever had, no drinking for Russ it doesn't go well with his meds.

Off to the doctors tomorrow to remove stitches and see how Russ's pelvis is healing. Hopefully we'll be able to get a timeline of milestones. Russ and I are both feeling the frustration of the unknown and boredom is really setting in for him. Anyone that wants to make house visits give him a call he's thrilled to talked with outsiders (which is pretty much anyone but family).

The Men of the Cave take on plumbing

Thanks to Hector, Louie, Rolfy, and Pablo, for installing a sink in our garage. Now we're ready for the portable shower if it ever gets here. They're telling me Tuesday, hope the Cave men can come back and put it together. The men of Russ's small group are awesome Godly men, and great friends. We love you guys, even the ones not in our garage. You'll notice that Russ was supervising, he's going stir crazy without being able to move much. Anyone wanting to stop by give him a call he loves visitors.